Always be prepared.

It’s a lot harder then you might think.  It’s right up there with seeing the future, telling time on an analog watch and doing long division in your head.  All require superpowers.  How would your life turn out if you were able to see what’s around the corner every time?  If you were able to know what would happen to you before it did, would let that outcome happen or try to avoid it at all costs?  Maybe you wouldn't have your heart broken by that certain someone you dated or find out that you’d lose your job before they told you. 

I think that if we were able to see everything coming, it would be a bad thing.  Yes we would be able to mold and shape our lives in such a way that we’d be living the “ideal” physical selves. I say physical selves meaning how other people see you.  Lots of money, fancy car, great haircut, perfect teeth, etc.  We would all be the perfect people we think we should be.  The downside is that if we’re happy on the outside, we wouldn't be happy on the inside. 

Things happen to us for a reason.  We can’t stop it.  Our lives are a series of events that shape us to who we are today.  I watched Star Trek as a kid which launched me into the Science Fiction nut I am!  Video games played a bigger part in my life and showed me my love for story.  If you move to a new city, you can’t tell if it was a good or bad decision until you know it.  So if you make that decision and it turns out that maybe it wasn't a good idea.  You are forced to adapt, overcome and grow from the experience.  If you can’t grow then you can’t evolve unto a better version of you.  We’d all be 12 years old running around not being able to deal with the real world. 

The river of your life is an ever changing thing.  You sit on your raft and float down the river.  Depending on the person, that raft could be a yacht, inner tube or maybe an inflatable duck.  You just let the river guide you along while you try not to tip over.  Sometimes you may run into the occasional twig, branch or water fowl, other times you may get the rapids, waterfalls and head hunters shooting poison darts at you. 

Whatever you find on that river (and how you handle it) dictates what kind of person you are and what kind of person you’ll be when you finish it.  So when you’ll sailing down your river in the sun, make sure you're prepared for anything, be sure to bring a paddle, sun screen, beer and maybe a second raft if yours hits a reef.

COOL THING OF THE WEEK!

If you've been living under a rock, then you may not have known that Sony Entertainment has revealed details on the Playstation4.  IGN’s Greg Miller tells us everything we need to know.  Thanks Greg!  What will happen if we find a PS4 in our river?  GRAB IT!

All relationships are the same

So you've done it. They said yes, you gave your notice and peeping for a new expense that may lead to opportunity that can help you evolve your professional (and maybe personal) career. Congratulations! You’re off to fame, fortune, prizes and a ticker tape parade! The victory music is playing!

All relationships stem from the same branch on the tree of life.  Personal, professional, within yourself, it's all the same. It stems down to a contract you have with yourself, and others.  People think of the word "contract" and think of it as some legal document that says what you can and cannot do in any relationship.  The type "A" people really like it but the rest of the world really hates being committed.  (But that's for another post)

Let's focus on how all types of relationships are the same.  Your professional relationship is just like your personal ones.  Here’s why:

1)  The Breakup!

There comes a time where you’re relationship just won’t fit into your lifestyle.  You’ve tried and tried but it won’t work despite your best efforts.  This leaves your two choices:  Suffer for the rest of your life, or do what a man should do, breakup with her.  (This may suck..)  So you sit down with her and explain that you both want different things.  She may want something you’re not looking for yet or maybe your life is taking a turn that just won’t allow you two to be together.  Either way you have to break it to them gently.  Tell them to go away in such a way that they pack for the trip.  If it’s their idea all the better!  Just be sure to look sad about it.  Other cases, she might rage out and try to stab you with a fork or throw a table at you.  In that case, be sure to have an escape plan handy.

In the case of your employer, it’s a bit more formal.  You give your two week notice and explain to them that it’s just not working out.  You found the job of your dreams (the equivalent to the “Hot Blonde” you met the other day) and you’d like to see where that is going.  They may come back with an counter offer or simply smile, part ways and begin the next step of your journey.  In either case you spend the next two weeks doing one of two things:  Your boss wants to dumb every assignment on you that he’s been thinking about the past few weeks, or you’re let out to pasture to graze until it’s time to leave.

Beware, you have to play this smooth.  Smile, be polite and don’t forget to shake hands.

2)  Make friends with security.

In any healthy relationship, it’s best to make friends with the security.  You’re starting a new relationship with a beautiful woman.  The kind of women that has everything you’ve wanted in a relationship.  First thing to do is make friends with their body guards.  These people can come in the form of his/her best friend, family member (Mom, Dad, siblings, etc), dog, cat and even parrot. (Yes, parrot).  Believe it or not, what these people or animals thing of you actually matters.  Make friends with them if you want to live, that way if you do end up calling it quits, they won’t help her/him find your house and glue parts of your anatomy together. Again, not cool.

At your new office, be sure to make friends with the security guard.  If you bring this person a coffee from time to time, they will help you get over the fact that you left your pass card at home or help you get into the building during silent hours and even let you park in the close parking space.  They are friendly people that can either make or break your new career.  Treat them well.

3)  Do something nice

Any new relationship is an exciting one.  She/he wants to be with YOU.  YAY!  You have the flush of excitement that sends butterflies in your stomach and you want to show them that they picked you for a reason.  You should do something nice for them like offer to pick them up from work, take them to lunch, offer to help move their furniture around.  It’s also a good idea to take them out once and a while.  Dinner, Coffee, the movies, maybe even the theatre.  If they are into you as much as you are, they will do the same.

Same in your new work environment, always say yes.  That’s rule number one.  If they want you to stay late to work on a project, help a co-worker out or fix an issue for a client.  Always say yes.  Every time you have a success it’s a feather in your cap.  Attitude is a close second.  You’re attitude when they asked you to do something is paramount when your mid or end year review comes up.  You jive well with and excel in your new work place and everyone likes you.  That’s because you’re looking out for someone other than yourself.  Help the collective.  They’ll love you for it.

4)  Remember to ask.

If you don’t know something, then ask!  Be sure to get a clear idea of what expected.  Get the directions to the dog kennel from your new date before just trying around everywhere trying to find it.  If you say you’ll be somewhere at 6pm you better be sure you’ll be there ontime and you know the way.  If you don’t then ask so you know.  You can’t be faulted for not knowing.  If they do fault you then maybe it’s time to find a new relationship.

Even in the work environment.  You have to be crystal clear about what they expect from you in any regards.  Projects, deadlines, terms of reference.  If you’re unclear as to what you need to do, trust me when I say they will appreciate it when they get the finished material.  If you just keep saying yes and not really sure what you have to do, things can go really wrong.  Next thing you know, you’re charging up the wrong hill and you brought donuts instead of peanuts to the office. 

These small tips are great of everyone’s bag of tricks.  Remember that in every new relationship, be sure to know what you expect from them and what they expect from you.  Be sure that there is a clear set of boundaries and the contract is firm and fair before you sign it.

Good luck on your journey and remember that we’re all in this together.

COOL THING OF THE WEEK!

This catchy song is from the same guys who did “Thrift Shop” which I’ve included in a previous post.  These guys are really good.  I highly recommend that you take a look, and share this video as much as possible!

MACKLEMORE X RYAN LEWIS - AND WE DANCED [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Singles Awareness day!

Happy Singles Awareness day everyone!  Some might say that there is no Singles Awareness day, instead there’s a thing called Valentine’s Day.  It’s a day where people celebrate love, relationships and the ability to express those feelings in the form of vast amounts of chocolate, corny looking stuffed teddy bears and cards that may even sing to you.  Most people can spend a butt load of cash (and maybe even a loan or six) on your special someone and your date fades out into a heart shape sunset.  Kind of makes you want to barf.

Other people take this time to evaluate their singleness and take time to reflect.  They look around and see all the love filled emotions in the air which makes you want to smash people with a phone or get a firehouse and wash down the love drunk and horny people of the world.  Because if you can’t get any, nether can they right?!  Why not try to wreck everyone else’s day of love in spite!  You vs. the world!  Great idea?  Not really..

The rest of the world treats this day to celebrate love of your significant other with an army of corny gestures.  Normal people can get a feeling of insecurity and loneliness.  You’ve been alone for so long it hurts when people talk about how much their in love (Reminder:  You can’t smash them with a phone or hose them down with water every time people talk about how much their in love).  It may even get to the point where you lie to yourself (and others) that you don’t want or need someone in your life.  You push those emotions so far down, a mole would mistake them for black coal.  Again, it’s not a healthy way to survive. 

Instead of an unhealthy dose of denial and emotional clogging, you do have other options.  Rather than wallowing in a pit of self-pity and despaire, why not find a way to turn it around.  Singles Awareness day isn’t because you’re “Suddenly” aware your single.  Make sure other people are aware that you’re single!  Here are some things to do:

1. Spread the word:  Hit on the attractive girl/guy that you’re been talking to in the coffee line up every morning.  Ask her out!  Worse case she says no and you move on.  Don’t worry, she won’t bite, unless she/he’s nuts, which wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination.
2. Love yourself.  Do something nice for yourself that you wouldn’t do on a normal day.  Buy yourself flowers, go out to a movie.  The best thing on taking yourself out on a date is that you get to go home with yourself! (Oh baby Oh baby)
3. If you can’t beat senseless for talking about love, help another love grow.  Help a friend plan a romantic evening out with their special someone.  Their plans can be anything, but maybe help out with their master plan!  Trust me, you get a great feeling by helping others. 
4. Violent video games.  Take this night to play Call of Duty and show others that they shouldn’t mess with your wrath.  You shall destroy them and they will run away from the sight of your avatar!  *EVIL LAUGH!!!*

These are just a few of the awesome ideas on how to survive Singles Awareness day.  Above all, this day is just like any other.  If people want to spend hoards of cash on things are may or may not be useless then so be it.  You don’t have any obligations to anyone as far as romance goes.  Be true to yourself and treat yourself how you want to be treated.  With respect and a little love! 

To those who keep flaunting your success in love, don’t worry.  No one will smash you with a phone or hose you down to cool you off.  Just don’t run it in too much.  ;)

COOL THING OF THE WEEK!

This week is for all the people with Apple products.  The gang at Pocketnow.com have some tips to make your iPhone & iPad feel much faster.  Enjoy!    

The Leap

“You know that feeling you get when you’re standing in a high place and there’s sudden urge to jump?  I don’t have it” – Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

I know what the good Captain is talking about.  Have you ever been over a ledge, overlooking the beauty and the scene before you? Then you look down.  All of a sudden your heart races, your knuckles turn white, knees shake and you feel dizzy.  You look back only to find your friends either keeping a close eye on you to see what you would do are completely disinterested and taking pictures of rocks for some odd reason.

Put yourself in Jack’s shoes, what would you do?   Jump?  Get into the car with a strange woman and drive away?  Everyone is faced with the one decision that could change your life.  I’m not talking about a decision that will send you on a vacation to Jamaica.  I’m talking about the opportunity to start you on an adventure you’d never forget and will change you forever.  The person as you know it will never be the same again.  No save point, no 1ups (points if you recognize the video game reference) and no going back.  Jump and have the wild adventure to tell at the bar or go back and watch reruns on TV in your underwear while trying to figure out what Kraft Dinner is really made of.

So what kind of person do you want to be?  If you get the chance to change would you?  These types of decisions shouldn’t be taken lightly, but the opportunity is worth looking into.  If you do take the leap of faith, you have a chance to start fresh.  Some might consider it a clean slate.  You have the change to leave your old self behind and your newer self can flower and set a new standard if your mature self.  That is appealing to people who have the guts to do it.  Most people will kill for a fresh start, a chance to leave every decision behind and start anew.  How would you do it?

They say the grass is always greener on the other side which I think it crap.  What if it’s summer and the grass is dead?  Or covered in dog pee?  What if you jump and there’s a shark at the bottom?  Or rocks?!  That would hurt.  Truth is you wouldn't know what’s there till you have enough faith and love yourself enough to do it.  It’s a risk that’s for sure. 

My take on all of this is simple.  Always say “Yes”.  You never know what the other side would bring.  You have no idea if the grass is greener or if there’s jello at the bottom of the cliff until you jump over that fence or dive off that cliff.  Before you do that, you have to faith in yourself (and more importantly) love yourself enough to make that kind of decision.  Yes it could be the worst mistake of your life but you will survive.  You made it this far right? 

If the grass is only half grown or needs a good mow, then take it upon yourself to make it feel like home.  You can add a few plants, maybe a tree?  Before you know it, you can add a deck with a BBQ and hot tub for your friends to come over and visit!  (Everyone loves a BBQ Party)  It all boils down to how much faith you have in yourself and how much you want to make it work in order for that opportunity to turn into something special. 

We all have the ability to change ourselves for the better.  Like a flower we need a little sunlight, dirt and encouragement to grow.  So I would take this chance to be your best self in front of your new surroundings.  You just have to be willing to do the work…

COOL THING OF THE WEEK!

This week deals with my all-time favorite BBC show “Top Gear”.  Laser take with a jet?  What’s cooler than that?!  Enjoy!

The Great ones are back at the Digital Film Festival

I went to the Great Digital Film Festival over that ran from 1 – 7 February 2013 that was put together by Cineplex and Space Channel.  I was one of the lucky ones who won tickets.  As I received the message from Space that I was one of the lucky few who got to relive all the great classic movies that not only defined their genres but relive the movie magic that I may have missed out on upon their original release.

The real question that laid before me is what to watch!  Do I follow the Wachowski Brothers and enter the Matrix?  See a giant shark snack on some people?  Or do I go back with some stuper stars like Harrison Ford, John Travolta, Bruce Willis and Robert DeNiro in their primes?  It was a well-argued debate for sure.  All these movies had their marrets and are considered (in my opinion) classics in their own special way.  Indeed, the great ones are back in town.

After much debate, I opted to see Keanu Reeves kick digital butt in the Matrix.  (“Woa..” – Neo) That movie is the best out of the trilogy and it furthered my imagination into a digital realm.   As Reeves teams up with Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss (my secret Hollywood crush!) against Hugo Weaving and a bunch of machines in order to save the world, I was ready to have my imagination run wild again. 

As the credits roll, I sit there with my eyes wide open wanting to see it again on the big screen.  I was a little too young to see it when it was released in 1999 but I gained a great appreciation and understanding of the classic science fiction film.  I have opinions on the rest of the story line but that will have to wait for another rant.

Phase one was complete!  Onto phase two, Luc Besson has been reasonable for  my go to movie.  It’s the movie I would watch when I’m sick, happy, sad, bored, or even needing a pick me up.  The Fifth Element (released in 1997) features the great Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich and Gary Oldman.  This movie has everything I could have asked for, action, suspense, drama, romance, crashing space ships, opera and even creatures that look like a cross between a duck and an armadillo.  Mr.Bresson’s unique film style and music in that movie made me feel for the characters and got me emotionally invested in what’s going on.  The bolly-wood style of music they’ve included in some of the action scenes worked really well!  Just as the Matrix, I gain a further appreciation for the movie that has helped shape me into the person I am today. 

In in closing, thank you Space Channel and thank you Ciniplex for allowing me to relive some of my favorite moments in cinema.  I look forward to revisiting the film festival again.  Until then, see you at the movies!

Resolutions and Thrifts of Game Shops

Well the first month of 2013 is almost over.   The holidays are over and people are slowly getting back into the swing of things.  Credit card bills arrive, work starts picking up, you have to get up at a decent hour, you’ve been getting back to the gym and the weather is at the point where you don’t need a winter coat but you freeze without one.  This is also the time of year where people with new year’s resolutions either drop harder than blue ice from an airplane bathroom or they continue to achieve greatness though the motivation to change something in their lives. 

For most people, their standard resolutions involve some sort of “Getting outside more” or general physical fitness goals.  Others have a vaguer goal of “Being adventurous” or my personal favorite “Being a better person”.  It’s right up there with saying that you’re going to do stuff this year.  I find people set resolutions in an effort to resolve an issue in their lives. The catch is that some goals are more tangible then others, I will do MORE stuff as opposed to I will lose 5lbs by 1 February. 

If people choose the “more stuff” category, they really don’t have a define set of goals.  When they look back in the past month and they really can’t measure what they’ve been doing.  It turns out that “stuff” really isn’t measurable.  Who knew?  If you choose to loose 5lbs by February, then you can actually track and measure your resolution and fill your ego’s need for accomplishment and giving yourself a high five (Also called a “self-five”).

The fact that your goal isn’t specific enough to measure is why I think most people give up on their goals this early in the game.  People need to set out goals that are achievable and self-rewarding.  It’s important to feed that ego of yours and stick with the goals that do so.  Besides, we all want something in the “I love me” category.  Be sure to love yourself for it.  If you achieve your goals, you need a prize.  Something that acts as a check marker for achieving something you set out to do.  Giving yourself a banana sticker or maybe going for ice-cream are two really great examples.

To the people who are achieving their new year’s goals,  AWESOME WORK!  Keep it up!  As for me, my goals are simple and to the point.  Stop eating pizza and continue giving you weird, odd, insightful and somewhat crazy views on the world today mixed in with the right amount of awesome.

In other news…

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis released the title “Thrift Ship” way back in 29 August 2012.  This song has been stuck in my head since then and therefore I’m sharing my love of this song..  Enjoy!

This shouldn’t be confused with the “GameShop” cover done by my personal hero’s at IGN combined with the superpowers of some of the coolest internet personalities.  It’s good times and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Side note:  Unlike in the states, the local game shop here is next to a Tim Hortons!  Also cool!

Until next time!  =)

Awesome Accountability

Let’s face it, you’re awesome.  You know it, they know it, and your Mom tells you every day.  Bring awesome is great isn’t it?!  You can sing at loud as you want in the car, eat pizza for breakfast, rollerblade to work with only falling and scraping your knee once this time.  It’s good to be you.  If you don’t feel like you’re just that amazing then maybe some self-reflection is in order.  Everyone is awesome and it’s a fact of life.  However, with great power comes great responsibility…

SUSPENCE!!

Everything we do in life has a measure of accountability.  We are accountable in one way or another to various people, however first and for most we have a responsibility to ourselves. As our personal journey continues to mold, and shape us we are accountable to ourselves to remain the wonderful people that we are.  But how do we measure this?  How can we tell if we’re succeeding this new found requirement to check in with ourselves every now and then?

If you’re like me, you love to make lists.  They help run and organize your life, which is great for people who need tangible goals to complete.  Like getting your master’s degree or remembering to pick up eggs on your way home from work.  These are solid, yes or no answers to life’s little tasks that you complete.  What really sucks is that you can’t really put “Being awesome” as a tangible goal.  If you can pick up a can/case/crate/bag of awesome from the supermarket on the way home, PLEASE let me know!  I want in on that action.

The hardest thing I had to lean was that you can’t measure your awesomeness with an awesome-momoter (It’s not a word I know, but stay with me here). It’s right up there with trying to measure your love of cheese.  You can’t say that you have 10 gallons of awesome or 40 kilograms of cheese love.  It’s not something you can tangibly get or even acquire.  It comes naturally.  Either you LOVE cheese or you don’t.  In the case of your awesomeness, it goes hand in hand with your level of happiness.

So what makes you happy?  That question alone is something mankind has been trying to figure out for ages now.  Fact of the matter is that it’s different for everyone.  Some people love to sing in the car, others like to do particle physics questions which waiting in line at the bank.  The truth is, if you’re happy then you’re awesome.  You are accountable to yourself by being happy.  If you’re happy then you’re already awesome.  Congrats!  If you’re not happy then its serious reflection time, how can you be happy? 

Checking in with yourself from time to time is the key ladies and gentlemen.  How are you doing with meeting your tangible goals?  What makes you smile?  What do you like to do to relax and unwind?  We owe it to ourselves to keep those things in mind.  If you keep up with things that make you happy and joyful, people will notice.  They will cling to you like nats on an elephants butt.  They’ll be buzzing around you wanting to soak in that joyfulness and self-love.  When they do, they will pass it on to their circle of friends and so on.  It’s like the flu but without the sickness.  Good mo-jo is where it’s at. 

Once your master your own accountability and master your own mo-jo, you can focus your attention on the outside world.  That’s the meaning of awesome.

I’ve decided to include something different to leave your with.  I’ve been reading this book by the author Neil Pasricha wrote “The Book of Awesome” which celebrates everything in the world that is..”Awesome”! 

Based on the award-winning blog 1000awesomethings.com, The Book of Awesome is a high five for humanity and a big celebration of life's little moments and the underappreciated, simple things that make us happy, from popping bubble wrap to hitting a bunch of green lights in a row, to waking up thinking it's Monday and realizing its Saturday. With wise, witty observations from writer Neil Pasricha, this treasure trove is filled with smile-inducing musings that make readers feel like kids looking at the world for the first time: AWESOME!

Until next time!  ;-)